Over the next 18 months, the Quebec-based AZRA will invest $40 million to install 2,000 new electric charging stations and deploy the Twizy, Renault’s first 100 percent electric vehicle in Canada.

“At AZRA, we are change agents on a mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jean-François Carrière, president and CEO of AZRA. “We are proud to be investing in transport electrification because it is the way of the future to reduce our environmental footprint.”

"By using our electricity to power our transport we will improve our environment while increasing our economic prosperity,” said Jacques Daoust, Minister of Transport, Sustainable Mobility and Transport Electrification. “I therefore welcome the investments announced today by AZRA. The fact that Renault has chosen a Québec company to market its electric car in Canada speaks volumes about our leadership in this area."

At the same time, AZRA is introducing the Renault Twizy in Canada. Speaking at the launch, Guillaume Berthier, Renault’s Electric Vehicles Sales Director said: “Renault Group is delighted to have chosen a company as dynamic and committed as AZRA for the launch of Twizy in Canada. Electric cars, Twizy in particular, enables Renault to boost its international development. It also allows Renault to participate in the development of new ways to sell cars. This is demonstrated by AZRA’s ‘all in one’ offer, with digital playing a dominant role in the sales model.”

This small city car, which is 100% electric and designed by the Renault Sport team, has a type-1 charging cable and side reflectors. Certified since March 1, 2016 by Transport Canada, its speed is capped at 40kph to come under the category of low-speed vehicles.

The Twizy will be available for lease at $99 Can (Rs 5,109) per month, including the costs of registration and insurance. AZRA-Partenaire-Renault-Partner has teamed up with Uni-Select to ensure the management and maintenance of the vehicle fleet.

8,000 new charging points

To contribute to the expansion of the network and increase the accessibility of charging stations for Canadian drivers of electric vehicles, AZRA will install 2,000 charging stations over the next 18 months. Azra is a company whose aim is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by improving access to cleaner energy and accelerating the transition of vehicles operating on fossil fuels to electric vehicles.

The stations, made entirely of aluminium, will be equipped with 7 to 50 kW power charges that can serve up to four users, for a total of 8,000 new charging points. They will be installed for free on private property through the establishment of partnerships with owners of office buildings, shopping centres and other types of buildings.